Prince Frederick, Md. – Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) has been awarded the 2025 Purple Star School designation for ten schools by the Maryland State Department of Education, recognizing their outstanding support for military-connected students and families. The honored schools are Beach Elementary, Calvert Elementary, Calvert High School, Calvert Career & Technology Academy, Northern High School, Northern Middle School, Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus, Plum Point Elementary, St. Leonard Elementary, and Windy Hill Elementary. Mount Harmony Elementary, designated in 2024, retains its status. CCPS leads Maryland with the most new Purple Star schools in 2025, highlighting its commitment to military families.
The Purple Star Schools Program, enacted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022, identifies schools that support military-connected students exceptionally. Only 23 schools across eight Maryland districts received the designation this year. To qualify, schools must appoint a military liaison, offer tailored digital resources, implement student-led transition programs, and train staff on military students’ challenges, such as frequent relocations.
Dr. Andraé Townsel, Superintendent of Schools, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “Calvert County Public Schools is deeply honored to be recognized for our commitment to military families. We are proud to support those who serve.”
Dawn Simpson, School Liaison Officer at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, supported the application process and said, “I’m delighted to see so many schools in Calvert County receive the Purple Star School designation. This designation sends a beacon to our military families that they are coming to a school that understands their unique challenges and has personnel and programs in place to support them. It has been my pleasure to work with the military liaisons throughout CCPS, and I look forward to continued collaboration and partnership as we work together to serve those who serve our country.”
Dr. Brandon Temple, Chair of the Calvert County Veterans Affairs Commission, added, “Calvert County Public Schools set the standard for supporting military-connected students in the state of Maryland. It was an honor to stand with our ten Purple Star Schools as they were recognized for their dedication to supporting this critical mission.”
The ten awarded schools serve elementary to high school students, including career-focused programs at Calvert Career & Technology Academy. Each school has a dedicated military liaison to assist families with enrollment, counseling, and transitions. Digital resources guide academic and support services, while student-led programs, such as peer mentoring, help new students adjust. Staff training focuses on military-connected students’ educational, social, and emotional needs, addressing issues like parental deployments and school changes.
Mount Harmony Elementary’s 2024 designation paved the way for this year’s success, demonstrating CCPS’s ongoing commitment. The district’s proximity to Naval Air Station Patuxent River underscores the importance of these efforts, as many military families relocate to the area. The Purple Star schools ensure these students experience continuity in education and feel welcomed in their new schools.
The application process involved collaboration with community partners like Simpson and Temple, who guided to meet the program’s rigorous criteria. Their support helped CCPS schools demonstrate comprehensive programs tailored to military families’ needs. The designation reflects the district’s dedication to creating inclusive environments where military-connected students can succeed.
Calvert County’s leadership in securing ten new Purple Star designations highlights its role as a model for supporting military families in Maryland. The honored schools’ efforts include practical measures like welcome programs and resources that ease transitions, ensuring students thrive despite the challenges of military life. CCPS remains committed to sustaining and expanding these initiatives to serve its military-connected community.
